| January 8, 2013 | America's Health Insurance Plans |
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- Health care spending may be poised to accelerate, report finds
Data from a CMS report showed U.S. spending on health care grew by 3.9% in 2011, marking the third year in a row of relatively small increases in spending. However, the report suggests spending growth may pick up in the coming years as the economy rebounds. The report appears in the journal Health Affairs. Reuters
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| Providers & Suppliers | | |
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| Medical Update | | |
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- Outcomes for pediatric appendicitis vary
A study showed that the odds of developing a perforated appendix among children treated for appendicitis at community hospitals were 23% higher for Hispanic children and 34% higher for Asian children, compared with white children. Hispanic patients at children's hospitals were 18% more likely to have this complication than white children, researchers reported in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. HealthDay News
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- Survey: Snacking among Americans has increased
A survey by research firm The Hartman Group indicates that Americans snack more often than they did in the past, consuming an average of 2.3 snacks per day, most often in the afternoon, evening and late at night. Researchers also found that most snacks were eaten at home, while 12% of respondents reported eating snacks at work and 7% said they had snacks while traveling. Drug Store News
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| Emerging Trends | | |
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- Soft Tissue's device to repair rotator cuff wins FDA nod
Soft Tissue Regeneration has been cleared by the FDA to market a biodegradable scaffold for patients in need of rotator cuff repair and soft tissue augmentation. The STR Graft, set to be commercially available in 2014, is intended to reduce pain, minimize surgical failure and expedite patient recovery time. Healio
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- BodyMedia unveils new data sharing device
BodyMedia has unveiled a small and fashionable armband, called CORE 2, that features sensors to collect a wide variety of biometric information. The device can also transmit biometrics to the BodyMedia Web portal and mobile platforms through Bluetooth 4.0. Engadget
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| Health Insurance Plan Company News | | |
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| Pharma News | | |
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| Policy Watch | | |
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| AHIP News | | |
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Share ideas at AHIP’s Dual Eligibles Summit
AHIP’s Dual Eligibles Summit: Improving Care, Coverage, and Cost, March 12 in Washington, D.C., will convene policymakers, advocates, providers, health plans and community-based organizations to examine the latest federal and state developments and discuss issues related to access, care integration and quality measurement for dual eligibles. Learn more and register today.
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Improved business operations for better care. TPA Direct
TPA Direct is comprised of AHIP member companies—the industry’s leading third-party administrators—and offers guidance to health insurance plans and administrators interested in outsourcing. The Principal Financial Group, a TPA Direct member, offers businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement and investment services, life and health insurance, and banking through its diverse family of financial services companies.
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The AHIP Select Program
From claims process automation to complex data analysis, AHIP Select program members provide a range of products and services for health plans and the health care industry as a whole. Learn more and view the AHIP Select program members.
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| | Recent AHIP Solutions SmartBrief Issues:
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- Monday, December 31, 2012
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